Motorists involved in accidents have long been advised to move their cars to the side as soon as possible to permit traffic to resume. But as soon as law enforcement arrives with large numbers of cruisers, the rules change and the road is closed for interminable hours while everyone stands around.

Such, apparently, was the case with an accident last Friday on Interstate 70 near Georgetown. Eastbound I-70 was closed or partially closed for eight hours! It’s very hard to understand why debris could not have been pushed to the side and the road opened in much less time if maintaining traffic flow was anywhere near the top of law enforcement’s priority list.

As most drivers will attest, this is a widespread traffic problem.

Robert Seklemian, Denver

This letter was published in the Sept. 11 edition.

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Mr. Seklemian, if we use the photo that accompanies your letter as an example, where are authorities supposed to pile all that wood? Where would you suggest that the authorities shove that tractor-trailer? If the wood — or the tractor-trailer — got damaged in the process of shoving it off to the side of the road, who would be liable for reimbursing the rightful owner of the wood or tractor-trailer?
8 hours seems an awfully long time, but you conveniently leave out the details of the accident.
Maybe, for one reason or another, the police considered the accident a crime scene? Maybe it took specialized equipment to move the vehicles involved? If a commercial vehicle was involved, maybe the owner of that vehicle insisted on having their representatives there before anything got moved?
I seriously doubt that CDOT or the highway patrol begins each day by briefing its staff on how best to annoy Robert Seklemian.

primafacie

Further, by my estimation, that semi rig lying horizontally across the road — blocking every lane — would have made moving the two-by-fours pointless. Until it’s moved, no simple process, nobody moves.

peterpi

Yep.

thor

“Who would be liable” is the crux of the matter. In our litigious society, not being sued trumps common sense in accidents like the one pictured. Two tow trucks outfitted to tow semis could have moved that truck fairly quickly. A bulldozer could have pushed the lumber to the side. Mr. Seklemian is frustrated by the fact that accidents that don’t involve injury or death receive the same treatment as a serious accident. I don’t blame him, why do you?

toohip

Agree, but it’s not about a “litigious society.” There are many tow truck rigs known by CDOT and local police who can move such big rigs rather quickly. They’re on 24 hour call and can get to a scene fast. If we want to talk about this scene, it’s pretty obvious what happened, the CHP should be working first to restore traffic on one of the busiest mountain cross-country interstates around.

Robtf777

In the case of minor “fender benders” where there are no DEATHS involved……or serious injuries……or substantial injuries……and the vehicles can be driven or pushed to the side of the road…….it is The Law to do so.

In the case of accidents where someone has DIED or has received serious injuries and where one or more of the vehicles have received so much damage that a tow truck must be called……..that is the “exception” to the the law…….and vehicles are to remain where they are until the police or state troopers finish the investigation.

In the case of rock slides or “dumped loads” where wood, rocks, gravel, nails, gas, oil, or an 18-wheeler has jack-knifed across the roadway…….it only makes sense to let the highway department come and do their job before simply letting the motoring public drive/push their way through whatever mess is on the roadway.

I will be the first to agree that having roadways or freeways blocked for hours and hours is absolutely frustrating……..just as it is when the police close down MILES and MILES of freeways and surface streets because the presidential motorcade is going to be going from Point A to Point B……sometime…….in the “near future”……depending on whether or not he stops to chat with a few more people.

But when a DEATH has occurred……or SERIOUS/Substantial injuries……and/or the highway is littered with “stuff” that poses a hazard…….yes, it is frustrating……but the police and the state troopers and the highway department have their jobs to do……especially in cases where they are investigating a CRIME that might send someone to JAIL or PRISON.

Yes, the Rule should be to “Clear The Highway As Soon As Possible”……because backed-up traffic jams only tend to cause even more fender benders back in the pack as people either jockey for position or commit traffic offenses (like cutting across the median, backing up for miles, or making a U-turn and driving the wrong way on the shoulder) trying to get out of and away from the first accident.

But…..sometimes……the police and the state troopers actually do have to close a entire highway……for hours…..simply because the accident scene really is that bad to warrant it.

disqus_TzDwhXyBhj

Many time the police block off more lanes than affected by the crash then proceed to sit or stand around and trade donuts while traffic backs up for miles. These cops should be actively directing traffic, controlling the flow to increase cars moving through the area.
Instead they do nothing productive while the tow truck drivers do actual work. Of course if there’s a dead body or debris in traffic lanes those lanes must be cleared before traffic can be allowed back into them…but it’s an active process…standing around BS’ing does not contribute to actively resolving the situation.
Take notice officers and improve your actions!

Dave52

After my third time being delayed for hours on I70, only to finally crawl pass the scene of the accident where everyone is sitting around doing nothing, the road clear except for 5 empty tow trucks and 16 state patrol vehicles, I’m getting a bit jaded as well.

toohip

This is typical of local police and CHP. I don’t know if it’s embellishing their authority or real safety. How many times have you seen traffic slow to a crawl, and when you finally get to the scene of the accident, it’s mostly cleared but cops still have several lanes blocked. This needs to be improved. “Safety” is a non-arguing issue, but better decisions on safety need to be evaluated.

rightwingliberal

State employees, by union rules, are only allowed to work four hours for every eight hour shift. The other four hours must be spent napping or standing around doing nothing.

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